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Man of irons: Schofield gets into the swing over Christmas

Chris Roots

Glyn Schofield completed the Villiers Stakes-Summer Cup double on Wednesday but he wore a bigger smile because of the present he received on Christmas Day. His son Chad, also a jockey, gave him a voucher for a set of golf clubs he had won at Moonee Valley recently for putting in the ride of the night. "He is a good boy," Schofield said. "I had dropped a couple of hints and the way he is riding he gets the chance to win them again. I was very happy when I saw the present." Schofield will look to continue his good run at Canterbury on the unbeaten, David Payne-trained Lilliburlero in the opener on Saturday. "She is a big, strong filly and really has a bit of class about her," he said. "They gave her a bit of time and David has placed her well. I think she has the quality to go onto better things but Saturday is the next step."

Dothraki forgiven

Schofield snr is hoping two-year-old Dothraki can put his best foot forward to qualify for next month's Magic Millions. The colt, by Mossman, started favourite on debut in the Wyong Magic Millions but had little luck on the day. "He copped a few bumps and came back with a few cuts on his legs," Schofield said. "I would love to get him into [the Magic Millions] because he is up to any race on what he has shown us on the track."

Attard wants more

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Jason Attard was thrilled this month when Reiby Regina got him his first city win on a Wednesday at Canterbury. "We are back to the scene of the crime and will try to take the next step," Attard said. "She has continued to improve and this is the next step through the grades. She has been able to win everywhere we have gone, country, provincial and city, and a Saturday win would top it off." Attard, who has only half a dozen horses in work, has been with Reiby Regina since her foaling. "She is a pretty little horse to us and I have a lot of good memories of her, but to win on a Saturday in town would top the lot," he said.

Missy gets serious

There are no negatives for the fastest pre-Christmas two-year-old to come out of Queensland since General Nediym leading into the McLachlan Stakes at Doomben on Saturday. Liam Birchley says $7500 buy Missy Longstocking, which is unbeaten in three starts, will improve from her victory in the Calaway Gal Stakes a fortnight ago, when she broke 58 seconds for 1000m for the second time. ''Her fitness would've been only around 80 per cent that day but she's a lot fitter for this race,'' he said. ''I couldn't be happier with the way she's gone on since then and although this race looks stronger, she's done everything right.'' The prospect of a wet track does not worry Birchley. "Even though she hasn't raced on a wet track yet, most of the Sequalos get through that sort of going, and she's out of a Thunder Gulch mare,'' he said. ''On breeding alone you'd think she was bred to be a wet-tracker.''

Tribute paid

Racing NSW acting chief executive Keith Bulloch has paid tribute to former steward Jack Hickman, who passed away on Christmas Eve. Hickman spent more than 30 years working at the Australian Jockey Club as steward and supervisor of licensed persons, where he put in place several policies that are still followed. He spent 14 years on the racing appeals panel after his retirement. "Jack Hickman was known and respected for his long-standing contribution to racing in this state," Bulloch said. "His dealings with licensed persons, even when handing out penalties, were conducted in such a way that people respected him. Another key part of Jack's character was the time he gave mentoring new administrators and cadet stewards … He was always prepared to share his knowledge and offer advice."